It’s October 31st, and I don’t have a Halloween costume. Uh oh. Luckily, I have some costume ideas inspired by some books I read and/or re-read this year…

Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series:

• Hogwarts uniform with a blue and bronze Ravenclaw scarf and tie
• Funky colorful sneakers
• Radish earrings (make sure they’re fresh)
• Wacky glasses for her Spectrespecs
• Blond wig (if your hair isn’t already blond, which mine is not)
• A wand

Pros: I get to act like Luna!
Cons: The costume is rather elaborate for something “last-minute,” and I always get pretty bummed that I can’t actually cast any real spells.

Kate Weatherall from the Mysterious Benedict Society series:

• Striped red and white T-shirt
• Jeans (make sure you can easily scale rafters in them)
• Sensible sneakers
• Hair tied in a ponytail
• Red bucket attached to your belt
• Optional: 3-year-old girl riding piggy back

Pros: A pretty straightforward outfit — it’s the confident attitude that will make you a true Kate.
Cons: Kate is pretty athletic, and I get winded going up one flight of stairs.

Madeline, from the Madeline picture book series:

• Blue dress with large white collar
• White gloves
• Black Mary Janes
• White socks
• Short auburn wig
• A giant yellow hat with a giant blue bow on it
• Speak with a French accent!

Pros: Did I mention I get to speak with a French accent?
Cons: It might take some maneuvering to avoid hitting people with that giant hat.

Since I have about… five hours to get this ready, I’m probably going to go with the Kate Weatherall costume. Minus the 3-year-old (they’re hard to find last minute), but definitely with the red bucket. Anyone interested in being Reynie, Sticky, or Constance?

— Nancy
Nancy would also like to dress up as Max from Where the Wild Things Are one day. Mostly because the costume looks like a comfortable pajama set.

More about Nancy »

Submitted by Hahaha me, Age 11 from Maine

Rating:

Reynie, Constance, Kate and Sticky live vastly different lives. But they have more in common than meets the eye: they don’t know of their parents, they have special gifts, and are just what Mr. Benedict needs. When the unlikely quartet come together to embark on a mysterious mission at the L.I.V.E, little do they know what dangerous they face, or the secrets and surprises they’ll find. They must work together to find out what’s happening at L.I.V.E., or the result will be disastrous.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is filled with action, humor, manipulation, quirky characters, and finding a place to belong. You won’t want it to end.
(And because I absolutely KNOW you’ll love it, there are two sequels to the book: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey and The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma.)

Also check out reviews from Maddy and Kate for this series!

If we had our way, Karen would be spending the summer in Australia and Nancy would be on the beach. But alas, we’re stuck at home for the season. At least we can escape into some awesome book series! From a global adventure to a medieval warzone to superhero headquarters hidden in a school — we do ‘em all in our latest podcast, all about summer series:

  (11:18) 
Download the MP3 (5.4 MB)
• One family, two kids, 39 clues — aka our mystery book series revealed
• Battles past, present, and whimsical — aka our summer series picks, plus a kid rec (Ranger’s Apprentice, Lunch Lady, and the Mysterious Benedict Society)
• Our dream summer vacations… and the realization that we’re really not beach people (that’s normal, right?)

Also, don’t forget: our new theme is books about cats! So send us a review of your favorite cat book and check out these purr-fect cat books.

— Karen and Nancy

Reviewed by: Kate, Age 13 from California

Rating:

The Mysterious Benedict Society Series is about four unusually talented kids who take up a mission to save the world from their mentor’s long-lost genius, Mr. Curtain. Over the course of the 3 books, they have to overcome tricky circumstances with Kate’s agility, Sticky’s genius, Reyine’s cleverness, and Constance’s mind power.
I am an avid reader, and have read Percy Jackson, Fablehavan, Children of the Lamp, Ranger’s Apprentice, Septimus Heap, Pellinor, The Ink Trilogy, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and millions of other book series. This series is by far my favorite one.

Also check out reviews for The Mysterious Benedict Society by Hahaha Me and Maddy!

The latest Mysterious Benedict Society book by Trenton Lee Stewart

I just finished reading the third book in the Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart, and I LOVED it!

I admit I was a tad disappointed by the second installment in the series. It seemed to be trying a bit too hard to capture the same energy as the first book. But in Book 3, the action returns to Stonetown, and the story gets back its punch. So if you’re a fan of the series but haven’t gotten to The Prisoner’s Dilemma yet, prove you’re not as dim-witted as S.Q. Pedalian — read the thing already!

And for those of you who are new to the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society and have no idea what I’m talking about, well, I’ve penned a little verse to bring you up to speed. Let’s just say I was inspired by Constance Contraire, a pint-sized poet and one of the books’ four main characters.

So without further ado, here’s my…

Ode to the Mysterious Benedict Society

Four children, all unusually smart,
Under unusual circumstances —
A hero (Mr. Benedict) with a great big heart
Has asked them to take their chances
Fighting against a dastardly man
Whose name is Mr. Curtain.
Will they foil his evil plan?
Well, one thing is for certain:
Curtain wants to take over the earth
And the only hope for you and me
Is to rely on the miraculous birth
Of the Mysterious Benedict Society!

Well, whaddya think? Did I do it justice? (Here’s a hint: say yes!)

Or if you’d rather hear from a kid fan, then check out this book review from Maddy, age 10. Then leave a comment with your thoughts on the series, either here or on Maddy’s review!

— Karen

Reviewed by: Maddy, age 10

Rating:

Featured in "Get A Clue!”

The Mysterious Benedict Society is a great book about 4 whiz-kids who go on an amazing adventure together to save humanity. A must-read! There’s also a second book that continues the story— The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.

Also check out reviews for The Mysterious Benedict Society by Hahaha Me and Kate!